During Pavia's golden age, the city was the Lombard's capital, and later witnessed coronations of Charlemagne and Frederick Barbarossa.
Even after it lost its status to Milan in 1359, Pavia remained an important city, and great churches, tall towers and other monuments still stand as testimony to this.
Aside from the magnificient Charterhouse just north of Pavia, there is the sandstone Basilica di San Michele off Corso Garibaldi.
The building was founded in the 7th century but largely rebuilt in the 12th after being struck by lightning.
Its facade is decorated with friezed of fantastic animals, and inside there are intricate carvings on the columns; a chapel to the right of the main altar contains a 7th-century silver crucifix.
In the centre of the town, around Piazza della Vittoria, stand several ancient monuments.

Sights at a glance
· The Broletto (town hall);
· The Duomo;
· The Ponte Coperto;
· The Museo Civico;
· The church San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro;